Systems and methods for an extended side-shift assembly for handling pallets

Abstract

The present invention relates, in general, to systems and methods for controlling autonomous forklifts, and specifically, for extending a lateral range of motion and side shifting ability for a load handling assembly. The present invention allows for independent control and lateral actuation of a backplate mounted on a fixed carriage, as well as independent control and lateral actuation of right and left forks mounted on the backplate.

1 . A side-shift assembly for a forklift, comprising:
 a carriage mounted on the forklift;   a backplate mounted on the carriage, the backplate capable of lateral adjustment relative to the carriage; and   a fork assembly mounted on the backplate, wherein the fork assembly includes a first fork and a second fork, each of the first fork and the second fork capable of independent lateral adjustment relative to the backplate.   
     
     
         2 . The side-shift assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first fork and the second fork are mounted on a rail coupled to the backplate. 
     
     
         3 . The side-shift assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a backplate actuator coupled to the backplate, the backplate actuator configured to provide driving force to adjust the backplate. 
     
     
         4 . The side-shift assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a fork actuator coupled to the first fork and the second fork, the fork actuator configured to provide driving force to independently adjust the first fork and the second fork. 
     
     
         5 . The side-shift assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a first fork actuator coupled to the first fork, the first fork actuator configured to provide driving force to adjust the first fork, and a second fork actuator coupled to the second fork, the second fork actuator configured to provide driving force to adjust the second fork. 
     
     
         6 . The side-shift assembly of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first fork and the second fork are capable of being independently adjusted laterally relative to one another. 
     
     
         7 . The side-shift assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the backplate, the first fork, and the second fork are capable of being independent adjusted laterally relative to one another. 
     
     
         8 . A side-shift assembly for a forklift, comprising:
 a carriage mounted on the forklift;   a backplate coupled to the carriage, the backplate capable of lateral adjustment relative to the carriage;   a backplate actuator coupled to the backplate, the backplate actuator configured to provide driving force to adjust the backplate;   a fork assembly mounted on the backplate, wherein the fork assembly includes a first fork and a second fork, each of the first fork and the second fork capable of independent lateral adjustment relative to the backplate;   a fork actuator coupled to the first fork and the second fork, the fork actuator configured to provide driving force to independently adjust the first fork and the second fork; and   a controller communicatively coupled to the backplate actuator and the fork actuator.   
     
     
         9 . The side-shift assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the first fork and the second fork are mounted on a rail coupled to the backplate. 
     
     
         10 . The side-shift assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the first fork is mounted on a first rail coupled to the backplate, and the second fork is mounted on a second rail coupled to the backplate. 
     
     
         11 . The side-shift assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the fork actuator is selected from a group consisting of an electric actuator, a hydraulic actuator, a pneumatic actuator, a mechanical actuator, and an electromagnetic actuator. 
     
     
         12 . The side-shift assembly of  claim 8 , further comprising a sensor module mounted on at least one of the first fork and the second fork. 
     
     
         13 . The side-shift assembly of  claim 8 , further comprising a sensor module mounted on the carriage. 
     
     
         14 . The side-shift assembly of  claim 8 , wherein each of the first fork and the second fork are capable of being independently adjusted laterally relative to one another. 
     
     
         15 . A side-shift assembly for a forklift, comprising:
 a carriage mounted on the forklift;   a backplate coupled to the carriage, the backplate capable of lateral adjustment relative to the carriage;   a backplate actuator coupled to the backplate, the backplate actuator configured to provide driving force to adjust the backplate;   a fork assembly mounted on the backplate, wherein the fork assembly includes a first fork and a second fork, each of the first fork and the second fork capable of independent lateral adjustment relative to the backplate, and each of the first fork and the second fork capable of independent lateral adjustment relative to one another;   a fork actuator coupled to the first fork and the second fork, the fork actuator configured to provide driving force to independently adjust the first fork and the second fork; and   a controller communicatively coupled to the backplate actuator and the fork actuator.   
     
     
         16 . The side-shift assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the first fork and the second fork are mounted on a rail coupled to the backplate. 
     
     
         17 . The side-shift assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the first fork is mounted on a first rail coupled to the backplate, and the second fork is mounted on a second rail coupled to the backplate. 
     
     
         18 . The side-shift assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the fork actuator is selected from a group consisting of an electric actuator, a hydraulic actuator, a pneumatic actuator, a mechanical actuator, and an electromagnetic actuator. 
     
     
         19 . The side-shift assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the backplate actuator is selected from a group consisting of an electric actuator, a hydraulic actuator, a pneumatic actuator, a mechanical actuator, and an electromagnetic actuator. 
     
     
         20 . The side-shift assembly of  claim 15 , further comprising a sensor module mounted on the carriage.